Taylor v. USA
Filing
33
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER. It is accordingly ORDERED that the motion to vacate, set aside, or correct sentence is DENIED and the case is DISMISSED with prejudice. A certificate of appealability is DENIED. All motions not previously ruled upon are DENIED. Signed by District Judge Marcia A. Crone on 03/27/2024. (XL)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
THEODORE W. TAYLOR, #26966-078
versus
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
§
§
§
§
§
CIVIL ACTION NO. 4:21-CV-103
CRIMINAL ACTION NO. 4:17-CR-9(1)
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Pending before the court is Theodore “Tad” William Taylor’s (“Taylor”) pro se motion
to vacate, set aside, or correct sentence in his underlying criminal conviction, filed pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 2255 (#1).1 The Government filed “Government’s Response in Opposition to Taylor’s
§ 2255 Motion” (#11). Taylor then filed Replies to the Government’s Response (#s 12, 13) as
well as numerous letters to the court (#s 16-18, 21-22, 26-27). Besides reurging the issues already
raised, Taylor argues that a recent decision of the United States Supreme Court should be applied
to his case—Ruan v. United States, 597 U.S. 450 (2022). The Government filed “Government
Response to Taylor’s Claim for Relief Under Ruan v. United States, 142 S. Ct. 2370 (2022)”
(#29). Having considered the § 2255 motion, the Government’s Responses, Taylor’s Replies, and
the numerous letters submitted by Taylor, the court is of the opinion that the § 2255 motion should
be denied.
I.
Factual Background
The factual background is taken from the opinion of the United States Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit.
1
When referring to a document in the § 2255 civil motion, the court will cite to the relevant docket
number, i.e., (#1). When referring to a document in the underlying criminal case, the court will cite to
Crim. ECF, followed by the docket number, i.e., Crim. ECF (#136).
At trial, the parties told a tale of two clinics. The government described a pill mill
that prescribed patients more than a million doses of abusable drugs in just two
years. The defense described a pain management clinic that helped people who
appeared to suffer from chronic pain. A jury agreed with the government’s account
and found the clinic’s doctor and office manager guilty of conspiring to distribute
controlled substances. We consider a number of challenges to the convictions and
sentences.
Theodore “Tad” Taylor and Chia Jean Lee, a married couple who met while
earning their degrees at Yale, ran Taylor Texas Medicine in Richardson, Texas.
Taylor was the clinic’s only doctor while Lee, a nurse by training, was the clinic’s
office manager. An Eastern District of Texas grand jury indicted the couple for
conspiring to distribute controlled substances. The indictment alleged that from
2010 through early 2012, Taylor and Lee conspired to illegally prescribe five
controlled substances: oxycodone, amphetamine salts, hydrocodone, alprazolam,
and promethazine with codeine.
A jury convicted both of them after a seven-day trial. It also made findings about
the quantity of drugs the couple distributed, but those quantities did not trigger
higher statutory minimum or maximum sentences. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)( C).
The district court then sentenced Taylor to the 20-year statutory maximum (his
Guidelines range would have been higher but for the statutory cap) and Lee to just
over 15 years (the bottom of her Guidelines range).
United States v. Lee, 966 F.3d 310, 316 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 141 S. Ct. 639 (2020).
II.
Procedural Background
On January 18, 2017, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas returned a
one-count Indictment charging Taylor, along with his wife, Chia Jean Lee (“Lee”), with
Conspiracy to Distribute, Dispense, and Possess with Intent to Distribute and Dispense Controlled
Substances, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 846. Crim. ECF (#1). On October 10, 2018, a jury
found Taylor guilty of the charged offense with respect to the five controlled substances. Id.
(#123). On May 3, 2019, the court sentenced Taylor to 240 months’ imprisonment, followed by
a 3-year term of supervised release. Id. (#154). His conviction and sentence were affirmed on
appeal by the Fifth Circuit on July 14, 2020. Id. (#226). The Fifth Circuit found that: (1) the
2
evidence was sufficient to support the defendants’ guilt; (2) venue was proper in the Eastern
District of Texas; (3) the jury did not commit misconduct; (4) any error by the court in admitting
the testimony of Government expert witnesses was harmless; (5) the court did not commit an abuse
of discretion in its jury instructions; (6) the court did not err in establishing drug quantities for
which the defendants were responsible; and (7) the court did not err in calculating the defendants’
advisory guidelines sentence range. Lee, 966 F.3d at 310; Crim. ECF (#227). Taylor did not file
a petition for a writ of certiorari.
On January 31, 2021,2 Taylor filed the pending § 2255 motion, alleging that he is entitled
to relief because his attorney was ineffective in numerous instances (#1). The Government filed
its Response (#11), asserting that Taylor fails to show a constitutional violation, to which Taylor
filed Replies (#s 12, 13). In his second Reply (#13) and in numerous letters to the court (#s 16-18,
20-22, 26-27), Taylor asked that the Ruan case be applied to his case. In response to an order by
the court, the Government filed its “Response to Taylor’s Claim for Relief Under Ruan v. United
States, 142 S. Ct. 2370 (2022)” (#29).
III.
Standard for Federal Habeas Corpus Proceedings
As a preliminary matter, it should be noted that a § 2255 motion is “fundamentally
different from a direct appeal.” United States v. Drobny, 955 F.2d 990, 994 (5th Cir. 1992). A
movant in a § 2255 proceeding may not bring a broad-based attack challenging the legality of the
conviction. The range of claims that may be raised in a § 2255 proceeding is narrow. “[A]
distinction” must be “drawn between constitutional or jurisdictional errors on the one hand, and
2
Taylor’s § 2255 motion is deemed filed on the date he placed it in the prison mailing system
pursuant to the “mailbox rule.” See Spotville v. Cain, 149 F.3d 374, 377 (5th Cir. 1998).
3
mere errors of law on the other.” United States v. Pierce, 959 F.2d 1297, 1300-01 (5th Cir.)
(citations omitted), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 1007 (1992). A collateral attack is limited to alleging
errors of “constitutional or jurisdictional magnitude.” United States v. Shaid, 937 F.2d 228, 232
(5th Cir. 1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 1076 (1992).
Conclusory allegations, which are
unsupported and unsupportable by anything else contained in the record, do not raise a
constitutional issue in a habeas proceeding. Ross v. Estelle, 694 F.2d 1008, 1011-12 (5th Cir.
1983).
IV.
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Taylor was represented by Joe Kendall (“Counsel”)3 at trial and asserts that he is entitled
to relief based on numerous instances of Counsel’s ineffectiveness. Specifically, Taylor broadly
claims that Counsel failed to: (1) prepare for or adequately conduct trial; (2) advise Taylor
properly concerning the effects of rejecting a plea offer and going to trial; (3) cross-examine or
impeach Government witnesses; (4) challenge the sentencing enhancements; (5) challenge the
Government’s theory of the case; and (6) file a motion to suppress evidence from the search of his
safe deposit box. At the Government’s request, Counsel prepared an affidavit in response to
Taylor’s § 2255 motion claims. See (#11-2).
A convicted defendant’s claim that counsel’s assistance was so defective as to require
reversal of a conviction requires the defendant to show the performance was deficient and the
deficient performance prejudiced the defense so as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial.
3
The record shows that Taylor originally retained Don Mulder (“Mulder”) to represent him.
When Mulder became ill, Joe Kendall took over Taylor’s legal representation. While other attorneys
assisted in Taylor’s defense, for the sake of simplicity, references to “Counsel” refer to Taylor’s entire
defense team.
4
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984). “Failure to make the required showing of
either deficient performance or sufficient prejudice defeats the ineffectiveness claim.” Id. at 700.
A movant who seeks to overturn his conviction on the grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel
must prove his entitlement to relief by a preponderance of the evidence. James v. Cain, 56 F.3d
662, 667 (5th Cir. 1995). The standard requires the reviewing court to give great deference to
counsel’s performance, strongly presuming counsel exercised reasonable professional judgment.
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690. The right to counsel does not require errorless counsel; instead, a
criminal defendant is entitled to reasonably effective assistance. Boyd v. Estelle, 661 F.2d 388,
389 (5th Cir. 1981).
A movant “must show that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable
probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Strickland, 466
U.S. at 694. A movant must “affirmatively prove,” not just allege, prejudice. Id. at 693. If he
fails to prove the prejudice component, a court need not address the question of counsel’s
performance. Id. at 697.
A.
Defense Strategy and Trial Performance
Taylor alleges numerous instances in which Counsel purportedly failed to develop a
defense strategy and perform adequately before and during trial. Specifically, Taylor claims that
Counsel failed to: (1) develop and follow a legal strategy in preparation for trial; (2) call defense
witnesses; (3) investigate or review discovery; (4) submit helpful documentary evidence; (5) show
that Government agents had committed misconduct; (6) challenge the Government’s assertion that
5
his medical practice was a pill mill; (7) challenge the court’s abuse of discretion in sentencing
enhancements, and (8) address Counsel’s conflict of interest.
1.
Trial Strategy
Taylor first alleges that Counsel failed “to develop and follow a legal defensive strategy
or any defensive plan at all in preparation for jury trial.” (#1 at 4). On habeas review, federal
courts do not second-guess an attorney’s decision through the distorting lens of hindsight, but
rather, the courts presume that counsel’s conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable
professional assistance and, under the circumstances, that the challenged action might be
considered sound trial strategy. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. “A conscious and informed decision
on trial tactics and strategy cannot be the basis for constitutionally ineffective assistance of counsel
unless it is so ill chosen that it permeates the entire trial with obvious unfairness.” Green v.
Johnson, 116 F.3d 1115, 1122 (5th Cir. 1997).
Contrary to Taylor’s allegations, the record shows that Counsel developed a defense
strategy and used it throughout the trial. In Counsel’s opening statement, he set up his strategy
by asserting that Taylor operated his medical clinic in good faith and for legitimate medical
purposes. Besides noting that criminal intent must be established, he emphasized that to be found
guilty, the jury must find that Taylor conspired to commit the crimes because he was charged in
a conspiracy. Crim. ECF (#194 at 186-88). Counsel’s strategy to show that Taylor acted in good
faith to help people and that he lacked the intent to form a conspiratorial agreement with anyone
was initiated during jury selection, continued throughout the trial, and ended in closing argument.
Counsel explained the strategy at trial:
We do intend to – intend to argue that [Taylor] thought at all times what he was
doing was correct and right, and that he did not have – as I started off in jury
6
selection saying, he did not have the criminal intent because he thought the care he
was giving at all times was the practice of good medicine.
Crim. ECF (#198 at 110). Furthermore, on direct examination, Counsel elicited testimony from
Taylor that he did not “enter into any agreement whatsoever with anyone to commit a crime.”
Crim. ECF (#199 at 182). Further, Counsel asked Taylor, “Did you willfully agree, directly or
indirectly, to write a prescription that you in your heart believed was without a legitimate medical
purpose?” Id. Taylor replied, “No, sir.” Id. at 183. Additionally, in summation, Counsel
continued the defense strategy:
Dr. Taylor told you that he felt sorry and wanted to help people. He told you he
had no wink, no nod, no agreement, no discussion. He had no agreement with
Chia Jean Lee and he had no agreement with anyone else.
Crim. ECF (#200 at 79). “Dr. Taylor told you he believed his patients when they told him what
their symptoms were and that they were in pain. That doesn’t make him a conspirator.” Id. at
80. Counsel continued by saying that Dr. Taylor was “described as naive, and gullible, and
trusting, and who sat on the stand and told you that he felt sorry for his patients and wanted to
help [them].” Id. at 82.
After hearing the testimony presented at trial, the jury agreed with the Government’s
position and found Taylor and his wife guilty of the offense charged. Lee, 966 F.3d at 316.
Taylor’s disagreement with the verdict does not change the fact that Counsel had a defense strategy
and utilized it throughout the trial. The weight and credibility of evidence is within the sole
province of the jury. United States v. Martinez, 975 F.2d 159, 160-61 (5th Cir. 1992), cert.
denied, 507 U.S. 943 (1993).
7
2.
Uncalled Witnesses
Taylor states that he demanded Counsel call “a minimum of 15 witnesses to present on
behalf of the defense, including character and credibility witnesses, as well as expert testimony
from renowned world authorities on pain management.” (#1 at 4). To obtain relief, Taylor must
show that, had Counsel investigated, he would have located witnesses to support the defense, such
witnesses were available, their testimony would have been favorable if called, and they would have
been willing to testify on Taylor’s behalf. Alexander v. McCotter, 775 F.2d 595, 602 (5th Cir.
1985).
“[C]omplaints of uncalled witnesses are not favored, because the presentation of
testimonial evidence is a matter of trial strategy and because allegations of what a witness would
have testified are largely speculative.” Buckelew v. United States, 575 F.2d 515, 521 (5th Cir.
1978). A petitioner must overcome a strong presumption that his counsel’s decision not to call
a particular witness was a strategic one. Murray v. Maggio, 736 F.2d 279, 282 (5th Cir. 1984).
Where “the only evidence of a missing witness’s testimony is from the defendant,” claims of
ineffective assistance are viewed with great caution. United States v. Cockrell, 720 F.2d 1423,
1427 (5th Cir. 1983), cert. denied, 467 U.S. 1251 (1984).
Here, while Taylor provides the names of eighteen witnesses he claims should have been
called as defense witnesses (#7 at 13), he fails to provide the substance of their anticipated
testimony or demonstrate how it would have affected the outcome of his case. Indeed, he makes
no showing that they would have provided testimony favorable to the defense. Taylor does not
provide an affidavit from each witness stating not only their willingness to testify on his behalf,
but also the substance of such testimony had they been called to testify for the defense. Therefore,
8
he fails to satisfy his burden. Alexander, 775 F.2d at 602. “[M]ere conclusory allegations do not
raise a constitutional issue in a habeas proceeding.” Ross, 694 F.2d at 1012.
Moreover, in Counsel’s affidavit, Counsel addressed problems that he encountered with
the witnesses whom Taylor wished to call:
Dr. Taylor wanted counsel to call a number of his former patients to basically
testify that “he was a good doctor” and that they “had pain.” It was explained to
Dr. Taylor that such testimony would not be relevant and would not in any event
be effective in counteracting the undercover video recordings of several agents
posing as drug seeking patients that the jury saw with their own eyes and heard
with their own ears. . . . [T]he witnesses . . . that Dr. Taylor wanted counsel to
call fell into one of three categories:
A.
Witnesses who wanted to invoke their own rights under
[HIPAA] and not disclose their treatment for pain by Dr.
Taylor, and the opioids he prescribed to them.
B.
Patients who were convicted felons.
C.
Obvious drug addicts/drug users.
(#11-2 at 3-4). Concerning expert witnesses, Counsel stated that he could not find any experts
willing to testify that Taylor’s medical practice and prescribing history were appropriate, which
included the “renowned world authority on pain management” whom Taylor wanted to call. Id.
at 4.
It is well settled that trial strategy is virtually unchallengeable. See Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 690-91. Counsel’s well-reasoned, strategic choice not to call Taylor’s proposed witnesses
cannot be considered ineffective assistance of counsel. Taylor fails to overcome the strong
presumption that Counsel’s decision not to call the witnesses was a strategic one. Murray, 736
F.2d at 282; Green, 116 F.3d at 1122.
9
Additionally, Counsel noted in his affidavit that he called Leondra Johns (“Johns”), a
longtime employee of Taylor, to testify for the defense. (#11-2 at 5). In contrast to the
Government’s witnesses, Johns testified generally in favor of Taylor, pointing out that Taylor
would discharge patients when he learned they were doctor-shopping or when a pharmacy called
indicating a patient might be abusing medication. Crim. ECF (#199 at 114-15). Therefore, in
addition to Taylor’s own testimony, Counsel presented another witness who testified in defense
of Taylor. The jury apparently placed more weight, however, on the evidence presented by the
Government, i.e., the video evidence of Taylor with undercover officers posing as drug seekers
as well as the testimony of other Government witnesses. The weight and credibility of evidence
is within the sole province of the jury. Martinez, 975 F.2d at 160-61.
3.
Failure to Investigate
Taylor claims that Counsel failed to investigate the case in some unspecified way, “ignored
the Defendant’s right to review and inspect all aspects of Discovery,” and “shelter[ed] Defendant
from access to conditions set forth by the Office of Probation as relevant conduct enhancements.”
(#1-1 at 18).
It is well settled that defense counsel must engage in a reasonable amount of pretrial
investigation and “at a minimum, . . . interview potential witnesses and . . . make an independent
investigation of the facts and circumstances of the case.” Nealy v. Cabana, 764 F.2d 1173, 1177
(5th Cir. 1985). While an attorney must engage in a reasonable amount of pretrial investigation,
“the reasonableness of an attorney’s investigation may critically depend on the information
forwarded by the defendant, and the defendant’s own strategic decisions about his representation.”
Bryant v. Scott, 28 F.3d 1411, 1415 (5th Cir. 1994). A defendant who alleges a failure to
10
investigate must state with specificity what the investigation would have revealed and how it would
have altered the outcome. Gray v. Lucas, 677 F.2d 1086, 1093 (5th Cir. 1982), cert. denied, 461
U.S. 910 (1983).
Taylor fails to allege specifically what Counsel failed to investigate, how he prevented
Taylor from reviewing the discovery, or how he sheltered Taylor from information about relevant
conduct enhancements. Conclusory allegations, which are unsupported and unsupportable by
anything else contained in the record, do not raise a constitutional issue in a habeas proceeding.
Ross, 694 F.2d at 1012. To the extent that Taylor is claiming that he was not allowed access to
the Presentence Investigation Report (“PSR”), the record directly contradicts this contention. At
sentencing, Counsel noted that he had discussed the PSR during an “extensive meeting” with
Taylor at the Fannin County Detention Center. Crim. ECF (#172 at 3). Taylor stated that he
fully understood the PSR and advised the court of the parts with which he disagreed. Id. Taylor
fails to identify any discovery material that Counsel allegedly prevented him from viewing, nor
does he demonstrate any prejudice suffered as a result. In sum, Taylor fails to show what further
investigation would have revealed and how it would have altered the outcome of the proceeding.
Gray, 677 F.2d at 1093. He fails to meet his burden.
4.
Documentary Evidence
Taylor claims that Counsel “failed to bring forward compliance documentation, discharge
records, diagnostic records, and a myriad of other records and reports” to challenge the
Government’s characterization of his medical practice as a pill mill. (#1-1 at 6). Again, Taylor
fails to explain what these unspecified documents contain, whether they were available, where they
could be found, and how specifically they would have changed the outcome of his trial. United
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States v. Demik, 489 F.3d 644, 647 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 552 U.S. 982 (2007); Ross, 694 F.2d
at 1011-12. It is Taylor’s burden to allege with specificity what actions Counsel should have taken
with respect to each allegedly omitted piece of evidence and how its presentation would have
changed the outcome of his case. Taylor does not do so. Moreover, the record shows that
Counsel submitted numerous trial exhibits including many “crossover” exhibits that the
Government had introduced by agreement of the parties. (#11-2 at 4). Taylor fails to show how
the outcome of his case would have changed had Counsel submitted the unspecified documents.
Demik, 489 F.3d at 647. He fails to fulfill his burden. This issue is without merit.
5.
Government Agents’ Alleged Misconduct
Taylor next claims Counsel was ineffective for failing to show that Government agents
committed misconduct during the investigation. (#1-1 at 9; #12-1 at 4). Taylor alleges that agents
and investigators were acting like “Nazi war criminals,” torturing Taylor and his wife in various
ways, and conducting a money shakedown during the execution of search warrants at his clinic
and home. (#1-1 at 9, 41-42; #1-8 at 27-29). He asserts Counsel was ineffective for failing to
present evidence of this alleged misconduct at trial.
First, Taylor offers nothing to show that these conclusory claims are accurate, and
conclusory claims are insufficient to entitle a movant to habeas relief. Ross, 694 F.2d at 1011-12.
They are unsupported by any credible record evidence and, thus, may be summarily rejected. See
Sones v. Hargett, 61 F.3d 410, 415 n.5 (5th Cir. 1995) (attorney is not ineffective for failing to
pursue a frivolous issue).
While Taylor makes these unfounded accusations against the
Government agents, he does not assert that Counsel should have filed a motion raising the alleged
misconduct. He simply claims that Counsel should have introduced the evidence “to further
12
discredit and impeach DEA witnesses and testimony.” (#1-1 at 9). At trial, Taylor complained
on cross-examination that the agents at the clinic were unfriendly and unprofessional. He said that
they repeatedly displayed their guns, made him stay there for two hours, caused him to feel like
he was in the middle of a robbery or a carjacking, made him feel “deathly afraid,” and continually
made him “fearful for [his] life.” Crim. ECF (#199 at 235-37). Although Taylor testified as to
his observations and feelings concerning the agents, the jury still found him guilty. Taylor fails
to show how more testimony of that nature would have changed the outcome of the trial, i.e., that,
had Counsel elicited additional testimony about alleged misconduct by the Government agents, he
would have been acquitted. Taylor fails to meet his burden. Green, 116 F.3d at 1122. This issue
is without merit.
6.
Rebuttal of Government’s Trial Arguments
Taylor asserts that Counsel failed to rebut the Government’s assertions that Taylor lost his
right to practice medicine, that he and Lee were financially destitute, and that their clinic was a
pill mill. (#1-1 at 10).
Taylor first argues that he did not lose his license, but that he voluntarily surrendered it.
Id.
The record shows the Government stated, during its opening statement, that Taylor
“voluntarily on the spot surrendered his DEA registration.” Crim. ECF (#194 at 183). At
closing, both the Government and Taylor’s Counsel repeated the same statement. Id. (#200 at 55,
90). Furthermore, Taylor testified concerning the circumstances under which he voluntarily
surrendered his medical license and DEA registration. Id. (#199 at 218, 237). In essence, there
was nothing to rebut, as the record clearly reflected that Taylor voluntarily surrendered his
license. Taylor fails to show that Counsel performed deficiently. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687.
13
Next, Taylor argues that Counsel failed to rebut the Government’s argument that Taylor
had a financial motive to operate a pill mill. Again, the record contradicts this assertion. On
direct examination, Counsel elicited testimony from Taylor that he is not “a person driven by
money” but, instead, was motivated by his desire to help patients—especially, low-income
patients. Crim. ECF (#199 at 247-48). Taylor also testified that he made approximately
$150,000.00 per year at a prior job before opening his clinic; his mother gifted him $550,000.00
in 2008; he owned a lake house in addition to his home in Plano; he owned a Corvette and other
cars; and he was in the process of finalizing plans for the construction of a second clinic that was
estimated to cost approximately $1,000,000.00. Id. at 167-68, 174-75, 194. Taylor testified that
the Government’s stance on his alleged financial difficulty was based on his attempt to refinance
a mortgage to receive a better interest rate. Id. at 175-76. Not only was this evidence before the
jury, but the jury also saw a video of Lee’s ostensibly removing gold and cash from the couple’s
safe deposit box. (#11-1 at 6). Accordingly, Taylor is simply wrong. Counsel showed that
Taylor was not lacking in assets; therefore, being financially distressed could not have been the
motivation for his prescribing practices. Taylor fails to show that Counsel’s performance was
deficient. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687.
Finally, the record reflects that Counsel attempted to rebut the Government’s position that
Taylor operated a pill mill. Counsel’s strategy was to show that Taylor acted in good faith as a
conscientious physician in an effort to help his patients. As noted in the Fifth Circuit’s opinion,
“The defense described a pain management clinic that helped people who appeared to suffer from
chronic pain.” Lee, 966 F.3d at 316. The court further observed:
Even by the standards of our adversarial system, the difference in the parties’
portrayals of the clinic is stark. The defendants’ story is that they ran Taylor Texas
14
Medicine as a legitimate pain management operation. Taylor says that he carefully
examined patients, refused to prescribe to patients who tested positive for illegal
drugs, and attempted conservative treatments before resorting to others prone to
abuse. He acknowledges that, in retrospect, he may have made some mistakes.
But he contends he acted in good faith and trusted his patients to accurately report
their pain.
Id. at 317. Therefore, Counsel cannot be ineffective in this regard; he made the arguments Taylor
now espouses.
Nevertheless, as the Fifth Circuit remarked, the Government presented
“overwhelming evidence that the defendants ran a pill mill.” Id. at 323. “In fact, it is hard to
find another Fifth Circuit pill mill case with such overwhelming evidence of guilt.” Id. at 326.
In sum, Taylor fails to show that, had Counsel done more to rebut the Government’s stance, the
jury would have not accepted the pill mill version of the facts and acquitted him. Taylor fails to
satisfy his burden.
7.
Trial Penalty
Taylor asserts that Counsel failed to challenge the court’s imposition of the 240-month
sentence, which amounted to a “trial penalty.” (#1 at 5; #1-1 at 11). Taylor surmises that,
because the Government extended better plea offers prior to trial, the 240-month prison term
improperly penalized him for exercising his constitutional right to go to trial. See id. Taylor is
simply wrong. At sentencing, Counsel presented that very same argument—that Taylor should
not be punished for exercising his constitutional right to a jury trial. Crim. ECF (#172 at 22-23).
Indeed, Taylor also made the same contention: “I’ll just say I don’t think it’s right that I should
be offered one year and then because of the fact that I stood up and I don’t think I did anything
wrong, it’s going to be 20 years in prison.” Id. at 37. Counsel urged the court to vary downward
from the applicable guidelines range to account for this and to view the Government’s most recent
plea offer of five years as “instructive” of what a reasonable sentence would be. Id. at 22-23.
15
In response, the court noted that many cases involve defendants who receive lower plea offers at
earlier phases of a prosecution, elect to go to trial, and then receive a harsher sentence upon
conviction. Id. at 44. The court concluded, “[T]hat provides no reason for a variance.” Id. The
court rejected the defense’s arguments. As the Fifth Circuit noted on appeal, Taylor’s guidelines
range would have been even higher but for the 20-year statutory cap. Taylor is simply wrong in
his assertion—the record clearly reflects that Counsel made the “trial penalty” argument. This
issue is without merit.
8.
Conflict of Interest
Next, Taylor argues that Counsel “acted upon a conflict of interest when he accepted
responsibility to liquidate the Plaintiff’s personal home should the Plaintiff be found guilty and
imprisoned.” (#1-1 at 11). Assuming Taylor is referring to himself when referencing “the
Plaintiff,” the claim is ambiguous and speculative. To the extent that Taylor is arguing that
Counsel suffered from a conflict of interest4 when he agreed to sell Taylor’s house to satisfy the
court-ordered forfeiture of $450,00.00 in this case, that is outside the scope of a § 2255 motion,
which is used to challenge the constitutionality of a conviction and sentence. Ineffective assistance
of counsel claims based on forfeiture are not cognizable in a § 2255 proceeding because they do
not relate to unlawful custody. See Price v. United States, No. 4:18-cv-757-ALM-KPJ, No.
4:16-cr-67, 2022 WL 815027, at *8 (E.D. Tex. Feb. 28, 2022) (collecting cases), adopted by No.
4
A conflict of interest exists when defense counsel places himself in a position conducive to
divided loyalties. United States v. Medina, 161 F.3d 867, 870 n.1 (5th Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 526 U.S.
1043 (1999). An “actual conflict” exists when defense counsel is compelled to compromise his “duty of
loyalty or zealous advocacy to the accused by choosing between or blending the divergent or competing
interests of a present or former client.” Perillo v. Johnson, 205 F.3d 775, 781 (5th Cir. 2000). It is well
settled that a conflict of interest must be actual, rather than potential or speculative, for it to violate Sixth
Amendment standards. See, e.g., Barrientos v. United States, 668 F.2d 838, 841 (5th Cir. 1982).
16
4:18-cv-00757-ALM-KPJ, No. 4:16-cr-67, 2022 WL 813611 (E.D. Tex. Mar. 16, 2022). The
claim is both conclusory and frivolous. Ross, 694 F.2d at 1011-12.
B.
Sentencing Exposure
Taylor argues that Counsel failed to advise him properly of a possible trial penalty should
he be found guilty at trial. In Counsel’s affidavit, he asserts that this allegation is “patently false.”
(#11-2 at 5). Counsel states that he “never told the defendant there would be no risk in going to
trial. In fact, [Counsel] told him just the opposite based on [his] evaluation of the evidence and
the forum [they] were in.” Id. Despite Counsel’s warnings, Taylor “at all times proclaimed that
he was innocent and demanded a trial.” Id. Attached to Counsel’s affidavit is an email to Counsel
dated October 18, 2017, in which Taylor emphatically declared that he would never plead guilty.
See id. at 33-34. “I will NEVER plead guilty to the DEA’s fake charges [that] I ran a clinic to
sell drugs, because that is a lie.” Id. at 33. “I WILL NEVER PLEAD GUILTY !!!!!!!!!!” Id.
“In conclusion, I WILL NEVER EVER PLEAD GUILTY since I did nothing wrong.” Id. at 34.
The Government also received an email from Taylor on September 15, 2014. There, Taylor
wrote: “You can have the 20K if you drop pre-charges and walk away. Otherwise[,] I will fight
you until the end of the earth. I never did anything wrong . . . .” (#11-3 at 1).
In open court, Taylor acknowledged that he understood the potential penalties he faced by
going to trial. At his initial appearance on February 22, 2017, he was told that, if convicted, the
“maximum potential punishment” was “not more than 20 years” imprisonment. Crim. ECF (#189
at 3). At that time, he affirmed that he understood the range of punishment and acknowledged that
he had received a copy of the Indictment, which also included a notice of penalty listing the
maximum sentence he could receive. Id. On March 20, 2017, Taylor was advised again in open
17
court during his arraignment hearing that the punishment range was not more than twenty years’
imprisonment and he confirmed his understanding of this. Crim. ECF (#190 at 3). Yet again, on
the first day of trial on October 1, 2018, Taylor agreed that he had received and rejected various
plea offers, and affirmed that he understood the sentencing exposure he faced by going to trial.
Crim. ECF (#194 at 152). In fact, the colloquy proceeded as follows:
[COUNSEL]: Okay, I do know that from my personal knowledge when I have been
representing you, the government offered you a plea agreement within the last year
I believe, of 60 months incarceration, correct?
TAYLOR: That is correct.
[COUNSEL]: And we discussed that?
TAYLOR: Yes, we did.
[COUNSEL]: Including the range of punishment you were exposed to, and what
Judge Crone could do in terms of a sentence if you were convicted?
TAYLOR: Yes, sir, that’s correct.
[COUNSEL]: And you told me what in that regard to that?
TAYLOR: I said I don’t want it. I don’t think I did anything wrong. I told you
that.
Id. “[S]olemn declarations in open court carry a strong presumption of verity.” United States v.
Lampazianie, 251 F.3d 519, 524 (5th Cir. 2001) (quoting Blackledge v. Allison, 431 U.S. 63, 74
(1977)).
The record shows that Taylor was fully advised of the penalties he faced by going to trial
and that he fully understood the potential sentence he could receive if convicted at trial. With
regard to a defendant’s decision not to plead guilty and instead to proceed to trial, in order to show
ineffective assistance of counsel, he must demonstrate that: (1) but for the ineffective advice of
18
counsel, there is a reasonable probability that he would have accepted the plea offer; (2) the
prosecution would not have withdrawn the offer in the light of intervening circumstances; (3) the
court would have accepted its terms; and (4) the conviction or sentence or both under the terms
of the offer would have been less severe than under the judgment and sentence that were, in fact,
imposed. Lafler v. Cooper, 566 U.S. 156, 164 (2012); United States v. Rivas-Lopez, 678 F.3d
353, 357 (5th Cir. 2012). For purposes of showing prejudice, any amount of additional jail time
is considered significant. United States v. Grammas, 376 F.3d 433, 439 (5th Cir. 2004).
Here, Taylor was emphatic that he would never plead guilty; accordingly, he fails to meet
the first requirement. He does not show that, but for the ineffective advice of counsel, there is
a reasonable probability that he would have accepted the plea offer. In fact, he refused at least
three plea offers prior to trial. Taylor repeatedly stated that he did not do anything wrong, a
position he continues to maintain. He emphasized that he would never plead guilty. As Taylor
fails to meet the first factor, there is no need to examine the other Lafler factors. A defendant
must show all four requisites are met. Lafler, 566 U.S. at 164. Accordingly, Taylor has not
shown there is a reasonable probability that, but for Counsel’s alleged unprofessional errors, the
result of the proceeding would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. This issue is
without merit.
C.
Cross-Examination and Impeachment of Witnesses
Taylor claims that Counsel failed to cross-examine and impeach the Government witnesses
properly. (#1 at 7). The record contradicts this assertion, however. Transcripts from the trial
show that all of the Government witnesses were cross-examined. Crim. ECF (#s 194-200).
19
Counsel further attests to this in his affidavit by saying, “Each of the seventeen government
witnesses were vigorously cross examined . . . .” (#11-2 at 3).
In particular, Taylor complains of this question Counsel asked Lt. Nick Bristow, one of
the officers who posed as a patient at Taylor’s clinic:
And could you tell the jury on the 23rd of September when you had the script in
your hand with a felony committed in your presence and within your view, if you
really believed what you’re telling them about this man, why didn’t you slap the
cuffs on him right then and shut this thing down if you really believed that there
was a felony going on in front of you?
Crim. ECF (#196 at 100). In Counsel’s affidavit, he notes that this question had a “specific and
impeaching purpose.” (#11-2 at 5). Counsel was attempting to show that law enforcement
officers typically arrest persons they believe to be dealing drugs and posing a threat to the
community; but in this case, no arrest was made. Thus, Counsel was trying to show that Taylor
was not the drug dealer and threat that the Government was alleging.
While Taylor names certain witnesses that he claims Counsel should have been more
effective in cross-examining, he does not articulate the specific lines of questioning that should
have been pursued, but were not. He also fails to show how “a different cross-examination would
have created a reasonable probability of a different outcome.” Castillo v. Stephens, 640 F. App’x
283, 292 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 580 U.S. 833 (2016). In any event, decisions regarding
cross-examination are generally considered matters of trial strategy that “will not support an
ineffective assistance claim.” United States v. Bernard, 762 F.3d 467, 472 (5th Cir. 2014), cert.
denied, 577 U.S. 1137 (2016). Furthermore, the jury heard both direct and cross-examinations
but still found Taylor guilty. It was up to the jury to determine if it believed a witness’s testimony
and the weight to be accorded the testimony. United States v. Millsaps, 157 F.3d 989, 994 (5th
20
Cir. 1998) (“[I]t is the sole province of the jury . . . to weigh conflicting evidence and evaluate
the credibility of witnesses.”). Speculation concerning the possible effect of using a different
cross-examination technique or impeachment strategy is the type of hindsight about which
Strickland cautions. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689. This issue is without basis.
D.
Sentencing Enhancements
Taylor claims that Counsel was ineffective for failing to challenge the court’s “arbitrary
enforcement of certain sentencing enhancements.”5 (#1-1 at 33). The record shows that the court
imposed two sentencing guideline enhancements: (1) that Taylor abused his position of public
trust and used his special skills as a physician to commit the crime, and (2) that Taylor possessed
a firearm in connection with the offense. While Taylor did not challenge the first enhancement,
he did challenge the gun enhancement, both at sentencing and on appeal. This court and the Fifth
Circuit both rejected Taylor’s challenge. See Lee, 966 F.3d at 328-29.
It is well settled that, absent countervailing equitable considerations, a § 2255 movant
cannot relitigate issues raised and decided on direct appeal. United States v. Rocha, 109 F.3d 225,
229 (5th Cir. 1997); see Withrow v. Williams, 507 U.S. 680, 721 (1993) (Scalia, J., concurring
in part and dissenting in part). “[I]ssues raised and disposed of in a previous appeal from an
5
While Taylor did not raise a specific issue on this matter, he continues to assert at various points
throughout his submissions that the undersigned judge is biased in drug cases because her daughter died
of a drug overdose. He also complains that proceedings were rushed because the undersigned judge had
a hair appointment and because she was generally not interested. See, e.g., (#s 12-1, 21, 22). As already
noted in the Memorandum Opinion and Order denying Taylor’s motion for recusal (#6), neither the
undersigned’s daughter nor any other family member or friend has suffered from or died of a drug
overdose. Likewise, hair appointments are not scheduled during the work week. Id. at 3. “Among
several other misstatements and rumors, these contentions are simply untrue.” Id. The trial started on
October 1, 2018, and concluded on October 10, 2018, which was more than adequate time for Taylor’s
trial, as the jury charge conference and other peripheral matters were handled after regular court hours.
These accusations are simply false and were previously addressed in the court’s Order denying Taylor’s
motion for recusal, yet he continues to perpetuate these falsehoods.
21
original judgment of conviction are [generally] not considered in § 2255 motions.” United States
v. Kalish, 780 F.2d 506, 508 (5th Cir.) (citing United States v. Jones, 614 F.2d 80, 82 (5th Cir.),
cert. denied, 446 U.S. 945 (1980)), cert. denied, 476 U.S. 1118 (1986). It is also well settled that
a collateral challenge may not take the place of a direct appeal. Shaid, 937 F.2d at 231.
Accordingly, if Taylor raised, or could have raised, constitutional or jurisdictional issues on direct
appeal, he may not raise them on collateral review unless he shows either cause for his procedural
default and actual prejudice resulting from the error, or demonstrates that the alleged constitutional
violation probably resulted in the conviction of one who is actually innocent. Id. at 232.
In this case, Taylor could have appealed the court’s application of the sentencing
enhancement that Taylor abused his position of public trust and special skills as a physician to
commit the crime, but he did not. Even if he had, the Sentencing Guidelines Manual expressly
states that the “special skill” provision applies to doctors. U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3 n.4. Accordingly,
any challenge to this enhancement would have been fruitless.
The record shows that Counsel challenged the two-level enhancement Taylor received for
possessing a firearm in connection with the offense. The enhancement was based on a handgun
found in his desk drawer at his medical clinic. The Fifth Circuit considered this issue and rejected
it on direct appeal. Lee, 966 F.3d at 328-29. Therefore, this issue is procedurally barred.
In sum, because Taylor either raised, or could have raised, the sentencing enhancement
issues on direct appeal, they are both procedurally barred from collateral review. He has not
shown cause for his procedural default, actual prejudice, or that he is actually innocent. Shaid,
937 F.2d at 231-32.
22
Even if these issues were not procedurally barred, Taylor’s claim is conclusory. He fails
to specify how Counsel’s performance was deficient concerning the sentencing enhancements and
what prejudice he suffered as a result. Conclusory allegations, which are unsupported and
unsupportable by anything else contained in the record, do not raise a constitutional issue in a
habeas proceeding. Ross, 694 F.2d at 1011-12.
E.
Taylor’s Financial Status and Motivation
Taylor complains that Counsel failed to refute adequately the Government’s arguments
concerning alleged financial hardships, which provided motivation to commit the charged crime.
(#1-1 at 10). He asserts that Counsel should have done more to show that Taylor was not
financially destitute and that he and Lee had substantial financial resources. As discussed above,
Counsel presented evidence that Taylor was not financially destitute and had substantial assets.
See supra section A.6. Taylor fails to show that Counsel performed deficiently or that the
outcome of his case would have been different had Counsel performed more to Taylor’s liking on
this issue. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694.
F.
Suppression of the Search of Safe Deposit Box
Taylor claims that Counsel was ineffective for failing to file a motion to suppress evidence
obtained from the search of his safe deposit box. (#1-1 at 38). Taylor alleges that the evidence
should have been suppressed because of a discrepancy between the date on which the search
warrant issued and the date the search was conducted. Id.
The court first notes that the safe deposit box was empty when agents executed the search
warrant. Crim. ECF (#70 at 13-14). Therefore, there was no evidence seized, and there was
nothing to suppress. This issue is frivolous, and Counsel cannot be ineffective for failing to raise
23
frivolous claims. Koch v. Puckett, 907 F.2d 524, 527 (5th Cir. 1990). Nonetheless, the record
reflects that Counsel moved to suppress evidence from the safe deposit box as well as the search
warrant itself. Crim. ECF (#70). After conducting a hearing on the motion, the court denied it.
Id. at #101. Therefore, Taylor is simply mistaken—Counsel did file a motion to suppress.
Furthermore, the box was empty; thus, there was nothing to suppress. Taylor fails to show
deficient performance or that, but for Counsel’s alleged errors, the outcome of his case would have
been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694. This issue is without foundation.
G.
New Supreme Court case of Ruan v. United States, 597 U.S. 450 (2022)
Finally, Taylor raised a new claim for relief under Ruan v. United States, 597 U.S. 450
(2022) in his second Reply (#13) and in several letters sent to the court (#s 16-18, 21-22, 26-27)
—after the Government’s Response was filed. This claim fails for several reasons. First, Taylor
failed to file a motion for leave to amend his § 2255 motion; thus, the purported amendment is not
proper. Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governs amended and supplemental
pleadings, which applies to the amendment of § 2255 motions. See United States v. Saenz, 282
F.3d 354, 356 (5th Cir. 2002). Under Rule 15(c), a court may, in its discretion, permit an
amendment that clarifies or amplifies a claim or theory in a timely-filed § 2255 motion after the
one-year statute of limitation imposed by the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of
1996 (“AEDPA”). United States v. Thomas, 221 F.3d 430, 436 (3d Cir. 2000). Conversely, an
amendment under Rule 15(c) should not be allowed where the movant seeks to add an entirely new
claim or new theory of relief. Id. Taylor’s amendment is improper, as the Response was filed
prior to the documents attempting to add the new claim. Taylor fails to show that the Government
consented to the amendment or that justice requires that the court allow it.
24
Second, the court notes that, had a motion for leave to amend been filed, it would have
fallen outside the one-year statute of limitations set by the AEDPA, which applies to § 2255
motions. In general, a movant for collateral relief has one year from “the date on which the
judgment of conviction becomes final” to file a motion challenging a conviction. 28 U.S.C.
§ 2255(f)(1). A conviction is final under § 2255 when a defendant’s options for further direct
review are foreclosed. United States v. Gamble, 208 F.3d 536, 537 (5th Cir. 2000). Here, the
Fifth Circuit ruled on Taylor’s appeal on July 14, 2020, and he did not file a petition for a writ
of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court. Thus, Taylor’s conviction became final ninety
days later, on October 12, 2020, the last day on which he could have filed a petition for a writ of
certiorari. See SUP. CT. R. 13(1) (a petition for a writ of certiorari is timely when it is filed with
the clerk within ninety days after entry of the judgment); Clay v. United States, 537 U.S. 522, 532
(2003). Therefore, to be timely, the present § 2255 motion, or any new claims to be presented
in the motion, must have been filed by October 12, 2021. Taylor first mentions Ruan on July 5,
2022. See (#13). Consequently, Taylor’s attempt to raise a new issue based on the Ruan case is
time-barred, as this issue must have been raised no later than October 12, 2021.
Finally, the fact that Ruan was decided after Taylor submitted his § 2255 motion makes
no difference because this issue is procedurally barred. Taylor could have raised the issue that
was decided in Ruan on direct appeal.
In Ruan, the Supreme Court held that a medical
practitioner may be convicted under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) only if the practitioner “knowingly or
intentionally” prescribes a controlled substance for a non-legitimate medical purpose or outside
the course of his or professional practice. Ruan, 597 U.S. at 454 (to sustain a conviction under
Section 841(a), the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt “that the defendant knew
25
that he or she was acting in an unauthorized manner, or intended to do so”). In other words, the
Government must show that a physician subjectively knew that the prescription in question was
unauthorized; it is not enough to show that the physician was objectively unauthorized to issue it.
The appellate court in that case “evaluated the jury instructions under an incorrect understanding
of § 841’s scienter requirements,” and the Supreme Court remanded for further proceedings. Id.
at 467-68.
Taylor could have raised this issue on appeal, but he failed to do so. He did not argue that
the jury instructions misstated the scienter requirement for his charged offense. In fact, Taylor
proposed the jury instructions that applied to this issue, which the court largely adopted. Compare
Crim. ECF (#105 at 14-19) (Taylor’s proposed instructions on the offense of conspiracy, and the
meaning of “knowingly,” “willfully,” “legitimate medical purpose,” and “usual course of
professional practice”), with Crim. ECF (#122 at 13-16) (the court’s instructions on the same
subject); see also Crim. ECF (#200 at 7-10) (transcript from objections to the jury charge showing
that the defense lodged an objection only to the jury charge’s not tracking the indictment and to
the inclusion of a deliberate-ignorance instruction).6
As noted above, a collateral challenge may not take the place of a direct appeal. Shaid,
937 F.2d at 231. Accordingly, because Taylor could have raised this issue on direct appeal, he
6
In any event, it is highly unlikely that Taylor could raise a colorable argument that he neither
“knew [n]or intended that his . . . conduct was unauthorized.” Ruan, 597 U.S. at 467. Indeed, on direct
appeal, the Fifth Circuit noted that “there was plenty of evidence indicating each defendant knew Taylor
was improperly prescribing drugs to patients,” characterizing the case as one “with strong evidence of
actual knowledge.” Lee, 966 F.3d at 325-26. The Fifth Circuit further explained that the “substantial
evidence” of the defendants’ actual knowledge “[came] from a variety of sources: undercover agents,
witnesses who raised concerns about patients’ drug abuse, the defendants’ practice of ignoring highly
suspicious drug tests, the clinic’s odd pricing structure, and Taylor’s cursory medical examinations.” Id.
at 326.
26
may not raise it on collateral review unless he shows either cause for his procedural default and
actual prejudice resulting from the error, or demonstrates that the alleged constitutional violation
probably resulted in the conviction of one who is actually innocent. Id. at 232. Taylor wholly
fails to do so.
V.
Certificate of Appealability
An appeal may not be taken to the court of appeals from a final order in a proceeding under
§ 2255 “unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of appealability.” 28 U.S.C.
§ 2253(c)(1)(B). Although Taylor has not yet filed a notice of appeal, the court, nonetheless,
addresses whether he would be entitled to a certificate of appealability. See Alexander v. Johnson,
211 F.3d 895, 898 (5th Cir. 2000) (A district court may sua sponte rule on a certificate of
appealability because “the district court that denies a petitioner relief is in the best position to
determine whether the petitioner has made a substantial showing of a denial of a constitutional
right on the issues before that court. Further briefing and argument on the very issues the court
has just ruled on would be repetitious.”).
A certificate of appealability may issue only if a movant “has made a substantial showing
of the denial of a constitutional right.” 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). The Supreme Court fully
explained the requirement associated with a “substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional
right” in Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000). In cases where a district court rejected
a petitioner’s constitutional claims on the merits, “the petitioner must demonstrate that reasonable
jurists would find the district court’s assessment of the constitutional claims debatable or wrong.”
Id.; Henry v. Cockrell, 327 F.3d 429, 431 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 956 (2003). “When
the district court denies a habeas petition on procedural grounds without reaching the prisoner’s
27
underlying constitutional claim, a [certificate of appealability] should issue when the prisoner
shows, at least, that jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the petition states a valid
claim of the denial of a constitutional right and that jurists of reason would find it debatable
whether the district court was correct in its procedural ruling.” Slack, 529 U.S. at 484.
In this case, reasonable jurists could not debate the denial of Taylor’s § 2255 motion on
substantive or procedural grounds or find that the issues presented are adequate to deserve
encouragement to proceed. See Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336-37 (2003) (citing Slack,
529 U.S. at 484). Accordingly, Taylor is not entitled to a certificate of appealability as to the
claims raised.
VI.
Conclusion
In accordance with the foregoing analysis, the court finds that Taylor’s pro se motion to
vacate, set aside, or correct sentence (#1) is without factual or legal basis and must be rejected.
In sum, Taylor fails to meet his burden of proof to show he is entitled to relief. He fails to show
that Counsel’s performance was deficient or that, but for Counsel’s alleged ineffectiveness, the
outcome of his trial would have been different.
It is accordingly ORDERED that the motion to vacate, set aside, or correct sentence is
DENIED and the case is DISMISSED with prejudice. A certificate of appealability is DENIED.
All motions not previously ruled upon are DENIED.
SIGNED at Beaumont, Texas, this 27th day of March, 2024.
________________________________________
MARCIA A. CRONE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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